Balanced rotary commutating valve



Dec. 14, 1965 K. GAULDIE BALANCED ROTARY COMMU'I'A'IING VALVE Filed May10, 1965 ATTOR EY United States Patent Hydraulic Crushers Limited, NewLiskeartl, Ontario, Canada Filed May 111, 196$, Ser. No. 454,629 Claims.((11. 69-545) This application is a continuation-in-part of applicationSerial Number 165,516, filed January 11, 1962, now abandoned.

This invention relates to hydraulically operated jaw crushers and moreparticularly to the valve mechanism of such crushers.

The present invention is concerned with hydraulically operated jawcrushers of the kind comprising a powerdriven plunger, a jaw-propellingram and a commutating valve which, during alternate oscillations of theplunger breaks hydraulic connection between it and the ram cylinder andopens communication between it and elsewhere, thereby immobilising theram during every alternate oscillation of the plunger and so permittingoutfall of crushed material from between the jaws to occur during threequarters of operating time.

In crushers of this kind the commutating valve may be of any suitablekind, and the present invention relates to such crushers in which thatvalve is of hollow, cylindrical, rotary type moving in a cylindricalbore of substantially like diameter; and in particular it relates tomeans for maintaining the valve in hydraulic balance radially so that,irrespective of operating pressure, no considerable bearing pressure canbe developed between the cylindrical surface of the valve and the borein which it moves.

A problem incidental to the use of a valve member in a jaw crusher whichis subject to substantially continuous rotation in one or two directionsresides in the fact that the pressure intensities developed by theplunger are quite high and these pressure intensities interfere to asubstantial extent with the desired smooth and effective operation ofthe valve member.

An object of the present invention is to provide a jaw crusher whereinthe continuously rotatable valve member of the valve mechanism thereofis in substantially complete balance transversely thereof duringoperation thereof and as a result there is no appreciable bearingpressure between it and the valve cylinder in which it is mounted.

With that end in view, a longitudinal duct or chamber in constantcommunication with the plunger cylinder is provided in the valve whichalso comprises two pairs of ports, one of which pairs connectsintermittently between the said duct and the ram cylinder while theother pair connects intermittently between said duct and another vessel,or space. The arrangement of the ports is such that while one pair isopen the other pair is closed, and viceversa; and the movement of thevalve is such that during alternate oscillations of the plunger theports leading to the ram cylinder are closed and the ram and jaw are atrest.

Both ports of a pair are of equal area and are diametrically opposed;and the corresponding ports in the bore in which the valve moves are oflike description.

That being the case, the force exerted by the fluid pressure in therunning clearance between the valve and its cylinder over any area ofthe valve surface is balanced by an equal force in the oppositedirection. The resultant radial force on the valve is, therefore, zeroin all directions; no force is transmitted by contact between the valveand its bore and no metal-to-metal friction occurs between them.

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which "ice FIGURE 1 is a sectional elevation of a valvemechamsm in accordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a section on line 22 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURES 3, 4 5 and 7 are cross-sectional views showing sequentialoperating positions of the valve,

FIGURE 6 is a section on line 6-6 of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 8 is a partial sectional elevation of an alternative form ofvalve actuating means, and

FIGURE 9 is a partial end elevation, showing driving means for the valvestructure of FIGURE 8.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 2 and 6, 1 is a valve housing in accordance withthe invention. A plunger cylinder 3 is fixed to tubular transverselyextending trunnion members 4 and 4a which are rotatably mounted inhousing 1. A plunger 5 is reciprocally mounted in cylinder 3 and iscarried by a crank 6 fixed to a crankshaft 7 rotation of which willcause reciprocating movement of the plunger and oscillating movement ofthe plunger and plunger cylinder. The crankshaft 7 is driven by anysuitable means, not shown. Rotatably mounted in the trunnion members,the bore of which constitutes a valve cylinder 8a, is a tubular valve 8having a chamber 9 therein and ports 10 placing the plunger cylinder 3in constant communication with the chamber 9. Valve 8 also has a pair ofports 11 of like size and in diametrically opposed relation to eachother. Trunnion member 4- has a pair of ports 12 of like size withrespect to ports 11 and in diametrically opposed relation to each other.The diametral axes of ports 11 and 12 are in the same plane extendingtransversely of the tubular valve 8. It will be apparent that relativemovement of valve 8 and trunnion member 4- Will act to place ports 11and 12 into and out of registry with each other.

Housing 1 has a passage 13 therein leading to a ram cylinder 14constituting part of an otherwise conventional jaw crusher such as shownin United States Patent 2,609,994. An annular duct 15 in cylinder 2places both ports 12 in communication with passage 13.

Valve 8 also has a pair of ports 16 of like size and in diametricallyopposed relation to each other. Trunnion member 4a has a pair of ports17 of like size with respect to ports 16 and in diametrically opposedrelation to each other. The diametral axes of ports 16 and 17 are in thesame plane and the diametral axis of ports 16 is normal to the diametralaxis of ports 17. It will be apparent that relative movement of valve 8and trunnion member 4a will act to place ports 16 and 17 into and out ofregistry with each other.

Housing 1 has a passage 18 leading to a vessel 19. An annular duct 26 incylinder 2 places both ports 17 in communication with passage 18 andvessel 19.

As shown more particularly in FIGURES 2 and 6, the arrangement of ports11 and 12 and ports 16 and 17 is such that when ports 11 and 12 are incommunication ports 16 and 17 are out of communication with each otherand vice versa.

Means are provided for imparting continuous rotation to valve 8 and, asshown, comprises a sprocket 21 on an end portion 22 of the valveprojecting from the housing, a sprocket 23 on the crankshaft 6, and aconnecting chain 24. It is proposed that valve 8 will be rotated atonequarter the angular speed of the crankshaft 6 whereby the plungercylinder 3 will be placed in communication with the ram cylinder 14through ports 10, 11 and 12 during alternate strokes of the plunger andthe cylinder 3 will be placed in communication with the vessel 19through ports 10, 16 and 17 during the intervening strokes of theplunger (communication between plunger cylinder 3 and ram cylinder 14being interrupted during such intervening strokes). It will be apparentthat, in this instance, sprocket 21 will have a diameter four 3 timesthat of sprocket 23. Vessel 19 is simply a receiver for hydraulic fluiddelivered by the idle strokes of the plunger. It will be apparent thatthe receiver vessel 19* could constitute a second ram cylinder of asecond jaw crusher.

An oil-receiving sump 24 may be provided in the housing 1 for escape ofleakage through running clearances, a conduit 25 being provided toeffect communication between the sump and a space 26 in the cylinder 2at theend of the valve.

Because of the arrangement of ports 11, 12, 16 and 17" and the ducts 15and 20, pressure conditions about any diametral plane of the valve aresymmetrical, and there: is no resultant transverse force on the valve inany position. Running of the valve at quarter the speed of the:crankshaft permits duplication of the valve ports thereby to achieve theconditions necessary for transverse balance.

The operation of the valve over two revolutions of the crankshaft andhalf of a revolution of the commutating. valve is illustrated in FIGURES3 to 7, inclusive.

In the position of FIGURE 3 the plunger is at the beginning of an activestroke and the valve is just beginning to open communication throughchamber 9 between the plunger cylinder and the ram cylinder.

In the position of FIGURE 4 the plunger is at the end of its forwardactive stroke, and the valve is wide open.

In the position of FIGURE 5 the plunger has returned to its originalposition, the active oscillation of the plunger has been completed, thevalve has just interrupted communciation between plunger cylinder andram cylinder and an idle stroke of the plunger is about to commence,during which it will be in communication through ports 16, 17 andpassage 18 with the vessel 19.

In the position of FIGURE 7 the idle stroke of the plunger, while it hasbeen discharging into the air vessel 19, has been completed, the valveis about to re-open communication between plunger cylinder and ramcylinder and another active stroke of the plunger is about to commence.

In the drawing, as thus far described, the valve is illustrated as beingdriven in continuous rotation from thecrankshaft 7 and, because of itssimplicity, this arrangement would normally be preferred. The valve may,however, be moved in a to and fro rotary motion, as illustrated inFIGURES 8 and 9 by means of a crank 27 fixed to the valve, crankpin 28,connecting rod 29, crankpin 30 on gear 31 carried by shaft 32, and gear33 on crankshaft 7. In this instance, the valve is arranged to beoscillated to and fro through 90 or other appropriate angle at half thefrequency of the crankshaft.

As shown in the drawing, when the valve is oscillated through 90 bothits ports 11 would be closed at the end of its movement, where it wouldbe momentarily at rest in the position of FIGURE 6; and the plungercylinder would then be connected to the vessel 19 through the other pairof ports 16.

When in the position of FIGURE 3, the valve would be moving at itsgreatest speed, its ports 11 would be beginning to open, and the plungerwould be at the beginning of a forward stroke.

Between the positions of FIGURES 3 and 4 of the valve, the ports 11would be open and the plunger would be delivering through them andthrough passage 13 into the ram cylinder. When in position of FIGURE 4the plunger would be at the end of its forward stroke, and the valvewould be momentarily at rest with its ports 11 full open.

During the succeeding return stroke of the plunger, the valve wouldreturn to position of FIGURE 3 after which the ports 11 would be closedas in FIGURE 6 during the next oscillation of the plunger when it wouldbe connected to vessel 19 through the other pair of ports 16.

As previously indicated, because of the diametric symmetry of the valvethe liquid pressure at any point of its outer surface is equal to thatat a point directly opposite.

The valve is, therefore, in complete balance transversely and there isno appreciable bearing pressure between it and the cylinder in which itrotates. The chain or other gearing whereby the valve is driven may,therefore, be of light construction.

I claim:

1. In combination with a hydraulically-operated jaw crusher, a plungercylinder, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in said cylinder,a crankshaft carrying said plunger and being continuously rotatable toimpart reciprocating movement to said plunger, a ram cylinder, and ahydraulic fluid receiving vessel, valve mechanism for placing saidplunger cylinder out of communication with said ram cylinder and intocommunication with said vessel during alternate strokes of said plungerand into communication with said ram cylinder and out of communicationwith said vessel during intervening strokes of said plunger whichcomprises a housing, a cylindrical valve member rotatably mounted insaid housing and .having an elongated valve chamber therein, saidhousing having a first passage in constant communication with saidplunger cylinder, said valve member having an opening in constantcommunication with said first passage and said chamber and first andsecond pairs of diametrically opposite ports communicating with saidchamber, said housing having a second passage in constant communicationwith said ram cylinder, a third passage in constant communication withsaid vessel, a first annular passage ;in constant communication withsaid second passage, and :a second annular passage in constantcommunication with said third passage, said valve member being rotatablesequentially to open said first pair of ports while closing said secondpair of ports and to close said first pair of ports while opening saidsecond pair of ports, and means drivably connecting said valve memberand said crankshaft.

2. In combination with a hydraulically-operated jaw crusher having aplunger cylinder, a plunger mounted for reciprocating movement in saidcylinder, a crankshaft carrying said plunger and being continuouslyrotatable to impart reciprocating movement to said plunger, a ramcylinder, and a hydraulic fluid receiving vessel, valve mechanism forplacing said plunger cylinder out of communication with said ramcylinder and into communication with said vessel during alternatestrokes of said plunger and into communication with said ram cylinderand out of communication with said vessel during intervening strokes ofsaid plunger which comprises a housing having an elongated bore therein,trunnion means carrying said plunger cylinder snugly and rotatablydisposed in said trunnion means having an elongated bore in coaxialrelation to said first bore, a cylindrical valve member snugly androtatably disposed in said second bore and having a valve chambertherein, said housing having a first passage in constant communicationwith said plunger cylinder, said valve member having an opening inconstant communication with said first passage and said chamber, saidvalve member also having first and second pairs of diametricallyopposite ports communicating with said chamber, the axes of said pairsof ports being substantially normal to each other, said trunnion meanshaving third and fourth pairs of diametrically opposite portsre-gisterable with said first and second pairs of ports, said housinghaving a second passage in constant communication with said ramcylinder, a third passage in constant communication with said vessel, anannular passage in constant communication with said second passage andsaid third pair of ports, and an annular passage in constantcommunication with said third passage and said fourth pair of ports, andmeans drivably connecting said valve member and said crankshaft forconstant rotation of said valve member in response to rotation of saidcrankshaft.

3. A jaw crusher valve mechanism as defined in claim 2, said valvemember opening comprising a plurality of ports, said first passagecom-prising an annular portion in constant communication with saidlast-mentioned ports.

4. A jaw crusher valve mechanism as defined in claim 2, said drivingconnection comprising a sprocket on each of said crankshaft and valvemember and a chain connecting said sprockets for unidirectional rotationof said valve member, said sprockets having diameters providing rotationof said valve member at one-quarter the speed of said crankshaft.

5. A jaw crusher valve mechanism as defined in claim 2, said drivingconnection driving said valve member alternately in two directions andconstantly in response to rotation of said crankshaft and comprising acrank on said valve member, a gear on said crankshaft, a second gearmeshing with said first gear, a shaft carrying said second gear, and aconnecting rod connected to said crank and having an eccentric mountingon said second gear, said valve member being thereby oscillated to andfro at one-half the frequency of revolution of said crankshaft.

No references cited.

SAMUEL LEVINE, Primary Examiner.

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A HYDRAULICALLY-OPERATED JAW CRUSHER, A PLUNGERCYLINDER, A PLUNGER MOUNTED FOR RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT IN SAID CYLINDER,A CRANKSHAFT CARRYING SAID PLUNGER AND BEING CONTINUOUSLY ROTATABLE TOIMPART RECIPROCATING MOVEMENT TO SAID PLUNGER, A RAM CYLINDER, AND AHYDRAULIC FLUID RECEIVING VESSEL, VALVE MECHANISM FOR PLACING SAIDPLUNGER CYLINDER OUT OF COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RAN CYLINDER AND INTOCOMMUNICATION WITH SAID VESSEL DURING ALTERNATE STROKES OF SAID PLUNGERAND INTO COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RAM CYLINDER AND OUT OF COMMUNICATIONWITH SAID VESSEL DURING INTERVENING STROKES OF SAID PLUNGER WHICHCOMPRISES A HOUSING, A CYLINDRICAL VALVE MEMBER ROTATABLY MOUNTED INSAID HOUSING AND HAVING AN ELONGATED VALVE CHAMBER THEREIN, SAID HOUSINGHAVING A FIRST PASSAGE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PLUNGERCYLINDER, SAID VALVE MEMBER HAVING AN OPENING IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATIONWITH SAID FIRST PASSAGE AND SAID CHAMBER AND FIRST AND SECOND PAIRS OFDIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE PORTS COMMUNICATING WITH SAID CHAMBER, SAIDHOUSING HAVING A SECOND PASSAGE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SAID RAMCYLINDER, A THIRD PASSAGE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SAID VESSEL, AFIRST ANNULAR PASSAGE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SECONDPASSAGE, AND A SECOND ANNULAR PASSAGE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITHSAID THIRD PASSAGE, SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING ROTATABLE SEQUENTIALLY TOOPEN SAID FIRST PAIR OF PORTS WHILE CLOSING SAID SECOND PAIR OF PORTSAND TO CLOSE SAID FIRST PAIR OF PORTS WHILE OPENING SAID SECOND PAIR OFPORTS, AND MEANS DRIVABLY CONNECTING SAID VALVE MEMBER AND SAIDCRANKSHAFT.